Thunderstorm Safety

Since we'll be seeing more (particularly afternoon and evening) thunderstorms this month, here's a quick review of some of the terms and safety rules you need to keep in mind.

For every 5 seconds you can count between the lightning and the thunder, the lightning strike was 1 mile away.

The 30/30 rule advises that if you can count less than 30 seconds between the lightning strike and the rumble of thunder. Get to shelter and stay there until 30 minutes have gone by since the last thunder.

A SEVERE thunderstorm has one or all of the following characteristics...
1) Hail 1" in diameter or larger
2) Winds 58 mph or stronger
3) A tornado

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM/TORNADO WATCH means that severe storms are possible in and close to the watch area. The elements are in place, and if they come together, severe weather could develop, so keep your eyes open. (These are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma).

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM/TORNADO WARNING means that severe weather is imminent or already occurring. It's time to get to shelter...RIGHT NOW.

When severe weather strikes, you'll get the life-saving information you need from FirstAlert Doppler. It's really the only radar in southern Colorado that shows where the storms are right now, not 5 or 10 minutes ago, like the other radars you see on the air. (and wouldn't you really rather know where the storm IS, instead of where it WAS?).